3,000 trainee teachers who scored D+ ordered out of colleges

Confusion has hit teacher training colleges around the country following a move by the Ministry of Education to terminate the training of 3,000 teachers with D+ minimum grades.

Some of the trainees with lower grades and who had already enrolled for studies at different teacher training colleges are now blaming the government for taking them for granted.

In Garissa teacher training college, 300 such students are uncertain about their future since they had already paid school fees.

Construction of new classrooms, dormitories and other structures is already underway at the institution, perhaps to accommodate the huge number of students who were admitted into the institution in January to pursue diploma and certificate courses in education.

But now, their nightmare is a letter from the ministry of education revoking their legality to study to them, this is hurting.

“This was the first time the government was allowing students who scored C- and D+ to join the training colleges. I got here and paid school fees for one year,” lamented Ibrahm Konzo-Student.

“We have put our best foot forward to ensure we study hard in the training,” said Edwin Komora.

The Ministry of Education through Teachers Service Commission (TSC) on Monday revoked the legal notice which lowered grades for admission to the teacher training colleges.

Many students are now questioning why the government has taken them for a ride with many revealing how they abandoned businesses and other jobs to chase their dreams of becoming tutors.

TSC however maintains that the current minimum academic and professional requirements for registration as teachers will not change and that students affected should be referred to Training Vocational Centres to pursue technical courses.

On Sunday, National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale who spoke in Garissa opposed the move promising the trainee teachers that he was to engage the Ministry of education and the President to find a solution that will see the students remain in school.

Already, Wajir East Member of Parliament Rashid Amin has tabled a bill in parliament seeking to take away TSC’s mandate of deciding on the entry grades to Teachers Training Colleges.